Aerobic Fitness and Improved Cognition

by Jean Blaydes , Action Based Learning

Here's another piece of research that makes a direct link between aerobic fitness and improved cognition.    

The Learning Brain Newsletter (January 2000) reports:

"Earlier research supported by a new study suggests that aerobic exercise-nonstop and lasting a minimum of 12 minutes-may serve to slow or minimize normal age related declines in cognitive functioning. Aerobic activity not only increases blood flow to the brain, but also speeds recall and reasoning skills. (Etnier,et al. 1999) (Van Boxtel, et al. 1996)"

"Van Praag and associates (1999) have conducted animal studies that suggest running and other aerobic activity promotes brain cell regeneration and growth. Also aerobic activity releases endorphins-the class of neurotransmitters that relax us into a state of cortical alertness and reduce the symptoms of depression. Exercise also tends to raise levels of glucose, serotonin, epinephrine, and dopamine-chemicals which at elevated levels are known to inhibit hunger."

"Researchers found that subjects who were the most aerobically fit had the fastest cognitive responses, measured by reaction time, the speed that subjects processed information, memory span, and problem solving. Additional studies are needed to determine the precise relationship between aerobic fitness, age, and cognition."    

This research has set the stage for more studies that link fitness directly to optimum brain function, giving us a stronger justification for daily quality physical education. Because of our nation's emphasis on academic standards and assessments, physical educators have been encouraged to integrate the core curricular subjects with our physical education standards to provide quality, viable teaching alternatives to reach the 85% of kids who are natural kinesthetic learners. 

What we teach and how we teach it is very brain compatible. Students learn best by using their whole body/brain, yet our contributions to raising test scores are sometimes viewed as minimal. Research now supports our efforts to physically educate our learners about the importance of being FIT TO LEARN with a brain/body in peak performance and natural biobalance. Our physical education curriculum is CENTRAL to the learning process and should no longer be considered "fluff".

When I asked Dr. Robert Sylwester to autograph his book, "Celebration of Neurons" he smiled and, with a quote referring to physical educators, wrote, "You've been right all along!"

Visit the Learning Brain website at www.learningbrain.com. Their catalog is a resource in itself. Stay tuned for more updates!

For questions or comments about this article, contact Jean Blaydes

(Information provided courtesy of http://www.pelinks4u.org)

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